It had been a long time since I had been to Los Angeles, though I'm glad I at least got to see California in April. But since I didn't get to spend Christmas with my family last year, I needed to see them this year.
Truth be told, this whole holiday season just crept up on me. For the first time in a long time, I wasn't prepared with presents for all my friends and co-workers, and it was just really hard to get into the holiday spirit in general.
Regardless, it was awesome to be home.
Except that everyone is constantly asking me when I plan to move back. It makes me sad to not have an answer, because I really want to have one that will satisfy them all. But for now I'm on the East, and I'll still be bicoastal.
Christmas Deliciousness
We spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day up in the Bay Area with my sister, since she had to work that weekend. My brother was in the Philippines with his girlfriend, so it still felt like an incomplete Christmas.
But we did have our two doggies with us, since they're both a hassle to dog sit. They're also a hassle to have in a car.
Other than spending time with my family, one big draw for going home is to have some home-cooked Filipino food. My mom cooked pancit, lumpia, and mechado over the weekend. I was an extremely happy camper.
On Christmas Day, I visited a childhood friend and her 2 adorable babies. It was great to see them, and to interact with her younger child who I had only seen as an infant. It was amazing to see them both talking away and interacting with me like they've known me all this time. Truth be told, these 2 kids would be a huge reason for me to move back. I've always hated the idea that one of my best friend's kids wouldn't know me. So it was comforting to know that they were so comfortable around me from the get-go.
Oh, she also fed me some delicious Columbian food. I ate my way through Christmas. It was fantastic.
Disneyland and California Adventure
How could I go to California and NOT visit a Disney park? Seriously.
It was great to hang out with friends I haven't seen in too long a time as well as meet some new awesome people.
Unfortunately, it was CRAZY BUSY!!! I mean, it was packed. I should have known better, I suppose, to have chosen a day between Christmas and New Years. But, we still managed to hit up all the awesome rides, including Space Mountain, Indiana Jones, and the Hollywood Tower of Terror.
And I got to feast on some delicious Mickey Mouse Pancake action.
It was definitely a highlight to finally ride the new Little Mermaid ride, though I'm personally of the belief that the ride could have been an awesome water ride.
Then!!! I got to meet Ariel!!
How funny is it that the two celebrities I geek out about are redheads? Those Gingers are awesome, what can I say?
It was such a great day, even if my poor legs were exhausted and tense for the next 2 days. Good times all around.
Babies!
So, I had already talked about one of my best friend's babies and how awesome they are. But I also got to meet two other friends' little ones for the first time. One of them was about 2 months old, and the second one was about 14 months.
It was funny to me that this trip to California was like a baby tour. But I'm so very proud of my friends who are raising mini-humans. All their babies are beautiful, and I'm excited to see what their personalities will be like as they grow up and experience life.
*****
Leaving California is always hard. Leaving the warmth and the love from my friends and family there is hard. But I guess I'm just not ready to leave the adventure of the cold cold of New England. Nor am I ready to say goodbye to my friends and adoptive family here.
Til next time, California.
Truth be told, this whole holiday season just crept up on me. For the first time in a long time, I wasn't prepared with presents for all my friends and co-workers, and it was just really hard to get into the holiday spirit in general.
Regardless, it was awesome to be home.
Except that everyone is constantly asking me when I plan to move back. It makes me sad to not have an answer, because I really want to have one that will satisfy them all. But for now I'm on the East, and I'll still be bicoastal.
Christmas Deliciousness
 |
| My mom decorating the little tree with ginormous ornaments |
But we did have our two doggies with us, since they're both a hassle to dog sit. They're also a hassle to have in a car.
 |
| Charlie trying to be a lap dog. |
 |
| serious food coma for like 24 hours... |
Oh, she also fed me some delicious Columbian food. I ate my way through Christmas. It was fantastic.
Disneyland and California Adventure
How could I go to California and NOT visit a Disney park? Seriously.
 |
| Occupy Disneyland |
Unfortunately, it was CRAZY BUSY!!! I mean, it was packed. I should have known better, I suppose, to have chosen a day between Christmas and New Years. But, we still managed to hit up all the awesome rides, including Space Mountain, Indiana Jones, and the Hollywood Tower of Terror.
 |
| BEST RIDE EVER so simple...yet the laughing and screaming are so fun! |
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| I'm pretty sure it's more delicious because it's so happy. |
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| *squee!* |
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| She asked me about my outfit (which was clearly all Little Mermaid-ed out). We chatted a bit about fashion, as two mermaids would. |
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| Gotta love that Princess pose... |
It was such a great day, even if my poor legs were exhausted and tense for the next 2 days. Good times all around.
Babies!
So, I had already talked about one of my best friend's babies and how awesome they are. But I also got to meet two other friends' little ones for the first time. One of them was about 2 months old, and the second one was about 14 months.
It was funny to me that this trip to California was like a baby tour. But I'm so very proud of my friends who are raising mini-humans. All their babies are beautiful, and I'm excited to see what their personalities will be like as they grow up and experience life.
*****
Leaving California is always hard. Leaving the warmth and the love from my friends and family there is hard. But I guess I'm just not ready to leave the adventure of the cold cold of New England. Nor am I ready to say goodbye to my friends and adoptive family here.
Til next time, California.
Every time I read your posts I have to make a mental list of the things that I want to comment about because there's so much . . .
ReplyDelete#1 - Your mom's food sounds YUM-tastic. I am not familiar with Filipino food, but now I wish I was.
#2 - Did you drive all the way to California with two dogs in your car?!?! How did you survive?
#3 - Disneyland = fun. But tower of terror . . . I can't bring myself to ever try that ride.
#4 - You and Ariel are too cute! (She looks Asian in the picture - or is it just me?)
#5 - I hope you get a chance to be a part of the babies' lives. I'm sure they will appreciate it.